2018 Legislative Priorities

The Brewers Association of Maryland Board of Directors has endorsed the legislative committee’s recommendations to introduce a 6-pack of bills that tackle each of the major issues affecting the industry, including production limits, distribution limits, on-premise sales limits, licensing restrictions, franchise law and research/promotion funding. Our goal: provide an opportunity to discuss each of the issues on their own merits and educate members of the General Assembly about the unique challenges facing our brewers.

Maryland brewers have a $637.6 million impact, support 6,541 jobs with $228.3 million in wages and $53.1 million in state and local tax revenue. Yet, compared to neighbor states, Maryland is 47th in economic impact, 36th in number of breweries, 25th in gallons produced per adult aged 21+ and is a net importer of craft beer.

2018 Brewers Association of Maryland Legislation

Thank you to the 23 enlightened legislators who are sponsoring legislation to GROW, not RESTRICT, Maryland brewing potential.

MODERNIZE FRANCHISE LAW– SB 1043/HB1222-Allows small breweries to end wholesaler contracts more easily while holding large out of state brewers to current statutory provisions. The bill does this by giving small brewers a shorter 15-day notice period for franchise termination and eliminating the mandated showing of “for cause.” Sponsors: Senator Cheryl Kagan & Ed Reilly, and Delegates Carol Krimm, Eric Luedtke, Kathy Afzali, Barrie Ciliberti, William Folden & David Vogt

ELIMINATE THE “TWO LICENSE” REQUIREMENT TO ALLOW BREWERIES TO SERVE THEIR OWN BEER–SB1044/ HB1176– Until 2017, Class 5 breweries automatically got a local Class D license which allowed for on premise consumption. In 2017 this changed to being issued at the “discretion” of the local liquor board. This bill returns to the pre-2017 situation by making Class 5 breweries have on-premise consumption as part of their single State license. This is the same as wineries and distilleries in Maryland. Sponsors: Senators Johnny Ray Salling & Delegate Robin Grammer

CREATE AN INDUSTRY FUNDED PROMOTION EFFORTSB956– Modeled on the Wine and Grape Promotion Fund, this bill takes the existing tax paid on beer produced in Maryland and allows non-profits to use it for promotion, research and education projects to support Maryland beer. Sponsors: Senator Addie Eckardt & Delegates Eric Luedtke, Buckel, Ebersole, Hornberger, Mosby, Shoemaker and Mary Washington

We Strongly Support the 2018 Comptroller & Governor Legislation

HB0518 Reform on Tap Act – Removes limits on manufacturing, sales and distribution, and exempts small brewers from franchise law.

We Strongly Oppose HB1052

HB1052 repeals all changes made via the HB1283 compromise in 2017. Some of these changes were bad—like limiting new brewers hours and revoking retail privileges if a brewery is sold. Some of these changes were headed in the right direction, like raising how much a brewery can sell and allowing brewers to collaborative beer and contract-brewed beer. HB1052 is an attempt to relitigate HB1283. We oppose HB1052.

Dear Legislators

Before voting on any brewery bills, we respectfully ask legislators to reach out to their local brewery or contact the Brewers Association of Maryland to hear for themselves what changes in-state breweries need to succeed.